Apana’s House campaign is largely self-funded

Candidates for state races release spending reports

July 14, 2014

Kahului state Rep. Justin Woodson is financing his campaign mostly from money donated by political action committees and labor unions while opponent and former Maui County Mayor James "Kimo" Apana and members of his family are paying for most of his campaign expenses, state Campaign Spending Commission reports show.

According to reports filed last week, Woodson had a surplus of $12,259 and Apana had $6,067 as of the end of June. (Figures are rounded to the nearest dollar.)

Woodson took in $13,481 in contributions and added that to the $11,933 he had on hand at the beginning of this year, giving him total receipts of $25,415. Of that, he spent $12,955. He reported a debt of $200.

Apana disclosed total receipts of $22,404 and expenditures of $14,275. He reported a debt of $2,062.

Other labor unions to contribute to Woodson's campaign included the ILWU Local 142 PAC, $850; the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters PAF, $550; the Hawaii Firefighters Association, $200; and the United Public Workers PAC, $300.

Apana's report of campaign contributions shows he's personally paid $12,000 into his war chest, with relatives donating as well - $463 from his mother, April Apana; $435 from his mother-in-law, Mitzi Sakamoto; $221 from his wife, Lisa Ann Apana; and $219 from his sister, Tammy Apana.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie plucked Woodson from obscurity, appointing him to the 9th District House seat in early 2013. The seat vacancy was the last domino to fall in a chain reaction of open seats triggered by the Dec. 17, 2012, death of longtime U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye.

Apana, now a businessman and Realtor, served as mayor from 1999 to 2003.

The 9th House seat covers Kahului, Puunene, Old Sand Hills and Maui Lani.

With no other party nominee seeking the seat, Woodson and Apana are in a winner-take-all Democratic primary on Aug. 9.

In campaign spending reports from other Maui-based candidates in contested primaries:

* Lieutenant governor. Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui has the upper hand in campaign fundraising and spending over his main Democratic challenger, Oahu Sen. Clayton Hee. Although Hee had more money at the beginning of this year ($460,685, compared to Tsutsui's $357,086), Tsutsui took in $234,042 more in contributions in the first six months of the year ($356,805 vs Hee's $122,763). Tsutsui also outspent Hee by $95,844 ($356,103 in disbursements for Tsutsui vs Hee's $260,259). There was no online report available for former TV reporter Mary Zanakis, also a Democrat running for lieutenant governor. Other Democratic candidates Sam Puletasi and Miles Shiratori reported campaign deficits of $801 and $3,293, respectively. Republican candidate Elwin Ahu disclosed a surplus of $25,063, while his primary opponent for lieutenant governor, Warner Kimo Sutton, reported a deficit of $13,986.

* State Senate, District 6 (West and South Maui). Sen. Roz Baker told campaign spending officials her campaign had a surplus of $135,071, while her Democratic opponent, Terez Amato, had a surplus of $11,043.

* State House, District 11 (South Maui). Rep. Kaniela Ing reported a surplus of $22,924, while there was no online information available for campaign income and expenditures for his Democratic opponent, Marie Minichino.

* State House, District 13 (East Maui, Molokai and Lanai). Rep. Mele Carroll had a campaign fund surplus of $4,569, while her Democratic opponent, Barbara Haliniak, disclosed a surplus of $174.

The next campaign spending report is due July 30. That report will cover the period from July 1 to July 25.